Andy Long forced to retire from rugby

Andy Long has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect, a press release issued by the Northampton Saints confirmed today.

The hooker, who finished last season with Northampton Saints and had been due to join Gloucester Rugby later in the summer, has been advised to retire on medical advice due to the effects of a degenerative neck injury.

The 34-year-old, who was capped twice by England, made his 200th Aviva Premiership Rugby appearance in the final match of the 2011/12 regular season, with his 201st, and final, match coming in the semi-final loss to Harlequins.

Long played 38 times in all for the Saints in his two-and-a-half years at the club and picked up an LV= Cup winners' medal in 2010. His career also included spells at Bath, Munster, Rotherham, Newcastle Falcons and Cetransa El Salvador.

Although disappointed that he could not continue his career, Long says that he had no regrets after playing rugby for nearly 30 years.

"I've achieved everything I wanted to achieve out of rugby," he said. "I started playing aged four and went all the way to the top to play for England at Twickenham.

"I've had 200 games of Premiership Rugby and played for some great clubs who have all had magnificent supporters, and I'm at peace with the fact I'm having to retire.

"That said, I had signed for Gloucester so I wanted my career to continue, but I'd been carrying an injury which was causing me a few problems towards the end of last season, and the rehabilitation time from an operation would have meant that I would have been on the sidelines well into next season, too.

"I am devastated that I was not able to contribute to Gloucester in the way that I hoped as I was really excited about playing for such a great club, but am nevertheless glad that my career finished in the way that it did, playing for a great club like Northampton in the Aviva Premiership Rugby knockouts."

Gloucester Rugby Forwards Coach Carl Hogg expressed his regret that Long would not be able to move to Kingsholm as planned.

"It's hugely disappointing for Andy. I know that he was looking forward to coming here and we were keen to welcome him to Gloucester.

"However, injuries do happen, Andy has had to make a difficult decision and we completely respect that. We'd like to wish him well in all his future endeavours."

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GRTV caught up with Gloucester Rugby's new signing Jason Woodward during his first week of preseason at the club. The new face spoke of his delight to be at the club, and in familiar surroundings of Hartpury College

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After a long build-up, Gloucester's Ross Moriarty made his first appearance in a British & Irish Lions shirt on Saturday. Speaking after the game, he admitted that it was good to finally get into action.

Lewis Ludlow, who has enjoyed a fine personal season, admitted to massive disappointment after the loss to Stade Francais but looked to draw positives before thanking the Gloucester fans for their support.

Friday evening will see Matt Scott return to Murrayfield, a venue he is very familiar with. Speaking ahead of the final, he admitted that he's incredibly excited about the European Rugby Challenge Cup Final against Stade Francais.